Australian parents and parents-to-be are being promised national action to reduce the pain and silence of stillbirth.

Every year, 2000 babies are stillborn and the rate hasn’t changed over the past two decades.

It’s hoped the new plan will provide guidance on better care before and during pregnancy and aims to reduce the stigma attached to stillbirth.

Associate Professor Liz Marles from the Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care said the new national standard aims to improve care throughout the pregnancy journey.

“The standard has got three focus areas, first of all actions to reduce the risk before and during pregnancy, secondly to follow up after a stillbirth to try and investigate the reasons why, and thirdly support for bereaved parents.”

Every day in Australia, six babies are still born.